Category Archives: Interviews
The Right Inspiration
Whisk of Dust is a collection of poems that weave together themes of love, faith, struggle, and beauty. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
I’m often inspired by simple things that others might take for granted. I found inspiration from different aspects of my life in writing this collection.
Were there any poems that were particularly difficult to write? If so, why?
None were difficult to write. With the right inspiration and motivation, the words were not difficult.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
I like to think of this collection as universal. They are for anyone who can relate and or just enjoys poetry.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
There has been no change, my desire has always been and still is to inspire and uplift with my writing.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Amazon
The Truth Had to Be Spoken
From the River to the Sea: Humanizing Freedom is part memoir, part historical reckoning, and part call to action, sharing your story as a Palestinian Christian born in Haifa, offering reflections on leadership, justice, and interconnectedness. Why was this an important book for you to write?
For me, writing this book was not a choice; it was a calling. I had no intention of writing it, and in fact, I was in the middle of chapter four of my upcoming book, “Unfollow the Leader”, when I put it aside, because From the River to the Sea: Humanizing Freedom demanded to be written. The truth had to be spoken, and it came from the deepest part of me.
At first, I wondered how this connected with Dreem Coaching & Consulting, but I came to see it is at the very core of everything we do. You cannot separate business from advocacy, or leadership from humanity. To live aligned with your values is to live fully; to deny them is to become a shell of yourself, trapped in a surface-level existence.
I dug into my soul to give voice to one of the world’s greatest human catastrophes and injustices. Just three weeks after finishing the manuscript and securing Red Thread as my publisher, the situation on the ground took an unthinkable turn, worsening with every passing day. Each time we thought it could not get worse, it multiplied tenfold.
This book was born out of both love and necessity. As a Palestinian, I carry the stories of my family, my people, and my homeland within me. For too long, our voices were silenced, our pain minimised, our humanity stripped away. Writing this was my way of reclaiming our story, showing that behind every headline are real lives, families, dreams, and losses.
The journey of writing has deepened me as a coach, strategist, leader, mother, sister, partner, and friend. It has made me more human. More than history or politics, this book is about love, leadership, justice, and the choices we make each day to live with compassion and integrity.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
People are often told that the situation is complicated or that it has been going on for centuries. It is neither. This is not an ancient feud; it is an eight-decade-long story of dispossession and occupation, beginning with the loss of Palestinian territories in 1948 with the Nakba (The catastrophe). To call it a “conflict” between two equal sides who cannot get along is deeply misleading. That framing erases the reality of power imbalance and decades of systematic oppression, and how the atrocities of the Jewish Holocaust were, in many ways, transferred onto the Palestinian population in Palestine. When we said never again, that was meant to be upheld as “never again for anybody”
At its core, this was never a battle between Jew and Muslim. Palestinians, whether Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, before 1948 lived together in harmony, as part of a well-functioning social and cultural ecosystem. This was never about religion; it has always been about basic human rights, dignity, and freedom.
Another tragic misconception is that Palestinians are defined only by anger or victimhood. Palestinians have been dehumanised to such an extent that the injustice has been allowed to continue to the unbelievable level we are witnessing today. Yet despite this, we are a people full of resilience, creativity, humour, and extraordinary love for life. When you meet Palestinians, wherever in the world, you encounter a community that continues to nurture hope and joy despite unimaginable hardship. That human dimension is too often ignored, but it is essential to understanding who we are.
Finally, you often hear the misconception that this can never be resolved. That is simply not true. There is a way forward for all people to live on equal terms, from the River to the Sea. Peace with justice is possible if all people are afforded the same rights, including the right of return for all.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to share three core ideas.
First, that history matters. We cannot heal or move forward if we continue to deny or distort what happened in 1948 during the Nakba, or what continues to happen today. Facing the truth is painful, but it is also the only path towards justice and peace for all.
Second, that leadership is not just about politics or boardrooms. It is about how we show up every day. Fear and division have always been used to justify oppression. Love, courage, and clarity are the antidotes, whether in our families, our communities, or on the world stage.
Third, that interconnectedness is real. The struggles of Palestinians are tied to the struggles of Indigenous peoples in Australia, to movements against slavery and apartheid, to anyone who has been dehumanised. I hoped to remind readers that justice for one group cannot come at the expense of another. It’s either freedom for all, or freedom for none. It is a clear choice we all must make.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from From the River to the Sea: Humanizing Freedom?
I hope readers walk away with a deeper sense of empathy and responsibility. This is not just a book about Palestine; it is a book about what it means to be human. If even one reader puts it down and chooses to listen differently, to question the narratives they’ve been told, or to act with more courage in their own sphere of influence, then the book has done its work.
More than anything, I want people to know that freedom is not an abstract idea; it is about human lives. And we all have a role to play in shaping a world where dignity, equality, and compassion are not negotiable.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website
Are you looking for a fresh and compassionate approach to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian plight?
Do you want to engage in meaningful conversations and explore the human stories at the heart of this deeply misunderstood issue? From the River to the Sea: Humanizing Freedom is your gateway to a deeper understanding of an issue that has gripped the world’s attention for decades. This simplified nonfiction work invites you to transcend borders and stereotypes, offering a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.
What You’ll Discover:
Personal Stories: Dive into the vivid histories, the struggles, and the resilience of individuals living amidst the dispute in a simplified way. Get to know the people behind the headlines, their dreams, and their aspirations.
Unbiased Insight: Benefit from extensive research, providing a well-rounded simplified perspective on the issue from the grassroots.
A Call for Empathy: Join us in fostering empathy as the guiding principle for understanding this deeply rooted issue as a foundation for meaningful dialogue.
Whether you’re a student, a concerned citizen, or a policymaker, From the River to the Sea is an essential resource that invites you to challenge your preconceptions, engage in thoughtful conversations, and embark on a journey toward humanizing freedom for all involved.
Take the first step toward a more harmonious, empathetic, and constructive path forward. Join the conversation today and explore the untold stories of hope and resilience.
Get your copy of From the River to the Sea: Humanizing Freedom and start your journey towards a deeper understanding of this complex issue and the pursuit of a just and peaceful future for all.
Buy now before the price changes!
A Sustainable Life
Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act is an unfiltered collection of essays that offer insights into the human condition, where humans have gone wrong, and potential solutions to alleviate human suffering on both individual and global scales. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because as a species we have not improved our lot or reversed our negative impact on the environment and life on the planet. We have not lived up to our potential given our big brains and despite our “invention” of science and technology and subsequent understanding of how the Universe works.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Humanity’s lack of connection or respect for Nature resulting in our devastating effect on the environment.
Our lack of impulse control, egocentric nature, and failure to live up to the potential of our big brains.
Gradual but impending environmental devastation and high probability of species-level extinctions, including our own.
Perpetual emergence of dictatorial, warlike leaders throughout history, now armed with nuclear weapons.
What advice do you have for individuals who feel powerless in the face of the world’s current challenges and want to make a positive impact?
Start with working to improve all aspects of one’s own existence: live a sustainable life, support humanitarian and environmental action, vote for enlightened political candidates, practice charity, study the self, meditate, improve the education of children, and promote global peace.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act?
You are not a “separate being” but rather a sentient member of the Universe interconnected with the web of all life, matter, and energy, and act accordingly by practicing gratitude, love, and compassion.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Amazon
This book is the result of overwhelming outrage and disappointment with our species, our failure to adequately address worldwide problems that threaten our very existence. We (if there is a ‘we’) should be embarrassed and ashamed. Nature has endowed us with near perfect bodies and amazing brains and for the most part we squander our evolutionary inheritance. And the greatest gift of all, consciousness, is under-developed in most of us. In this collection of essays, the author offers insights into the human condition, the reasons we have run afoul of the natural order, along solutions to alleviate human suffering on an individual and global scale plus some playful jabs at our human folly.
It Proves We Needed My Book
A Graver Danger is part memoir, part exposé, and part call to arms that argues that corruption and abuse within America’s schools is the hidden engine behind many of our deepest social fractures, from the rise of authoritarian politics to the epidemic of school shootings. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was aware that what’s going on in our schools is the best-kept secret ever because people are terrorized within the system and are not going to talk about it. Proof of that is Randi Weingarten, President of the AFT Teachers’ Union, who has just published a book touting the fact that teachers are called to uphold democracy, just as my book did, left out the fact that the fascist-like dictators running way too many of our schools don’t let teachers do what they were called to do. Only my book explains why no one talks about that. It proves we needed my book.
Her book is on the New York Times Best Selling Books List, and she is all over TV, so someone had to get what’s really going on out, or democracy stands little chance of being restored. Thus, it was an important book for someone to write.
That someone had to be from the set of teachers who could afford to lose their jobs and spend thirty years collecting evidence, writing books, spending money to do so, and who would also care enough to do this work. This is not a large set.
I felt I could not leave this earth without exposing this, and although I might not get past the cover up in my lifetime, one day my book will be an intellectual time capsule that explains what happened to America, the way World War One explains what happened to Germany, which is the other nation that fell for a strongman due to despair.
The political right is correct that there’s a deep state of corruption, but has yet to identify that it’s our schools. The political left is also correct that we need to restore democracy, but has no clue what unraveled it. If my book goes viral, since most people want authentic and safe schools, we can work together to take our schools back and end the toxic divisiveness that has replaced democracy.
Can you explain how you came up with the term “White Chalk Crime” and how it has contributed to the current state of the educational system?
I thought of white collar crime, but with a twist, so I used chalk to identify corruption unique to our schools. The self-serving power mongers who break laws at their pleasure are parallel aspects. While business leaders must ensure that workers succeed or they’ll go out of business, in the tax-supported education world, they can and do replace competent teachers, who’d report their wrongdoing, with loyal puppets. Schools can continue to fail and remain in business until someone figures this out, which is not likely to happen without a book like this.
White Chalk Crime™ has ended schools that produce citizens and replaced them with schools that are treasure chests for those running them. All but the White Chalk Criminals are sickened by what they’re doing, but are too afraid to speak out. This never-before-identified corruption needs a strong name, since it works hand in hand with teacher abuse, an act few would understand without knowing the depth of corruption in our schools.
What advice do you have for parents who want to help fix this broken system, specifically at the local level in their school districts, to support teachers fighting for democracy?
Although they need to check laws that vary from state to state, in many districts, the school board members hold all the power. Superintendents have been grooming their boards because, as a society, we trust our schools, since, to most, our schools are closer to motherhood and apple pie than to the mafia, a more fitting descriptor for many of them.
I appeared before my board with a binder of issues that included my principal’s law-breaking acts, and the board responded with “investigation is not what we do” when they are the only watchdog that exists for our schools. That’s what must change.
My superintendent was able to send me to a biased psychiatrist for “imagining harassment,” a psychiatrist who violated my agreement with him despite the law saying he must be an unbiased psychiatrist, because four board members rubber-stamped my superintendent’s wishes.
So, first, parents must learn to be watchdogs, not lapdogs, for our schools.
I recommend they run for a school board on a democracy platform in groups of four—or a number that holds power on that board—so they can control in favor of democracy. They can then insist on hiring quality teachers and replace administrators incapable of working with quality teachers.
I also warn parents that if their administrators are fanning the flames of an extreme right or extreme left political issue, it is to divide people, not because they care about that issue. They use controversial issues to distract from their wrongdoing. Those leaders need to be voted out. Our boards are to make sure our schools do their job as the foundation of democracy. They must be run as the democracy they’re trying to uphold.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from A Graver Danger?
I hope readers take away the fact that teachers are the spiritual force given to us so people can live in harmony; they make our schools the soul of our nation. Plus, they must understand that school shootings are the universe’s red flags, saying, “Look inside your schools.”
Since 2002, at WhiteChalkCrime.com and at EndTeacherAbuse.org, whistleblowing teachers have been trying to expose that those in power have eliminated this spiritual force, yet this entire nation—media and politicians alike–ignored them because those running our schools forced teachers to behave in ways that turned parents, the media, politicians, and the courts against our teachers.
Our schools weren’t perfect before they became corrupt, and our universities let us down when it comes to education, but people must take away that our schools are our soul, and we must empower our called-to-teach teachers to lead our schools, not self-serving or overly business-minded administrators. Education is not a business. It is the spirit of this nation, and because we trampled our spirit, we’re living in dark times.
Author Links: GoodReads | Substack | Facebook | Website
These are not ordinary times; this is no ordinary book. This book is essential to understand how fascism infiltrated the US and learn what actionable steps can be taken to combat it.
In 1995, a teacher discovered and began exposing that our schools are plagued by what she terms the Harvey Weinstein syndrome—a culture of abuse and exploitation where the powerful get their way — unchecked until someone musters the courage to bring the truth to light. She wrote this book with a singular purpose: to do what the brave actress who testified against Weinstein did — end wrongdoing.
She invested her heart and soul into this book as a contribution to save our country from the clutches of fascism. In light of our nation’s deep divisions, it is imperative to recognize that she believes the selection of a dishonest individual as president—one who is both a criminal and a sexual predator—demonstrates our educational system’s complete failure. Brace yourself for the inevitable wave of negative reviews from MAGA supporters.
Within these pages, she leads those who treasure democracy on an unprecedented examination of our schools. She calls out the pervasive corruption that has transformed our educational institutions from esteemed pillars of society into hollow shells. Introducing the term “White Chalk Crime,” she describes the systemic, mafia-like corruption that is intrinsic to the education system. This fraud, coupled with the teacher abuse used to cover it up, dismantled democracy.
Abraham Lincoln: “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” We are witnessing this prophecy unfold before our eyes.
She exposes administrators’ active sabotaging of school reform and unveils a bold plan to revolutionize education parallel to the shifts Jeff Bezos brought to marketing and Steve Jobs to technology. Her solution focuses on empowering and revitalizing passionate educators, the very people the crooks who hijacked education wanted out! Her book is the first to include whistleblowers’ voices!
The lack of exceptional teachers to guide troubled students is directly linked to school shootings. In 2002, a dedicated Florida Teacher of the Year attempted to prevent a Columbine by reporting a student who had brought guns to school. Rather than support this teacher,the districtcriminally indicted him, accusing him of complicity. He eventually proved his innocence, but who would willingly face such a fate? Most teachers have stopped noticing the needs or acts of disturbed students.
Furthermore, the unions perpetuate this alarming trend, assisting in ending the careers of exceptional teachers nationwide, while pretending that our teachers have power. Called-to-teach teachers were the government’s only spiritual force. We now live with the chaos their absence caused.
Her plan: teach citizens to vote for members who’ll maintain democracy and/or run for school boards. She provides a clear understanding of our schools, exposes school boards’ contributions to the downfall of democracy, and details how you can make a difference.
This democracy-loving teacher takes you on a journey of repair, not revenge, through the bowels of democracy – our schools, showing how our schools’ gatekeepers have failed us. You will end up hopeful about both our schools and our democracy. In contrast to the school board, which shamefully claimed, “Investigation is not what we do,” this book empowers you to create and support school boards that will actively restore democracy.
Endless Fiction
I, Monster follows a boy born into poverty, abuse, and neglect who is shaped by these experiences into a predator that aims to not only silence those in the concentration camp, but also erase their existence. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had done extensive research on the Nazi SS and their rise to power for a nonfiction book when I was still a professor. I had always wanted to know how could a person commit such acts of terror, document that terror, and still function as a human being? That is when I got the idea of following some of the prominent SS figures and charting their course. I had found that a number of them were outcasts, bullied, and considered on the fringe socially.
So, I used my extensive psychology background and created Hans, who grew up in the post-World War 1 era and the punitive Treaty of Versailles, where hardship, deep resentment of the West, poverty, and political instability thrived. That was the fuel; now all you needed was a spark. Enter the National Socialist German Workers Party, a.k.a. the Nazis, and you have Hans.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I believe that the human condition is a source of endless fiction because life is full of contradictions, struggles, and the intense desire to do or have something. Yet, at the same time, much of life is routine—we work, eat meals, sleep, and get up to do it all over again. Fiction allows me to reveal the strangeness that lurks beneath the ordinary. This offers me the ability to remind readers that life is stranger and more fragile than it appears.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was probably the overarching theme that embodies the “monster” within an otherwise rational man. The novel makes the unsettling point that “monstrosity” is not an external force—it already exists within the human condition, just waiting for the right circumstances and choices to call it forth.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is actually a love story, Framed in Love, that is steeped in fantasy and explores the psychological condition of “How far will you go, and what are you willing to do to keep that love alive?” In a world where love can be bound by spell and sacrifice, a devoted lover discovers that devotion has no bottom, and is preserving love worth losing everything that makes a person human?
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
To the world, he was just a bureaucrat in a coat too neat, boots too polished. But behind those cold eyes was a man obsessed with silence. Where others saw genocide, he saw design. And now, decades later, as investigators unearth the ruins and whispers resurface, the question echoes louder than ever: What happens when the monster is the one who writes the ending—and signs no name?
That Beautiful Mix
Welcome Baby Wigglet! is a joyful children’s picture book about Gigglet the pig learning to embrace her new role as a big sister with love, pride, and giggles. What inspired you to create Gigglet and Wigglet’s sibling story? Was it drawn from your own family experiences?
Yes, the story was inspired by my own family experience! When my little brother was born, I remember feeling just like Gigglet—worried that I might be “replaced.” (Spoiler: I wasn’t… my parents still needed someone to sneak cookies off the counter.) But the moment he arrived, all those worries melted away. He instantly became my favorite “real-life baby doll,” and I couldn’t wait to protect him, love him, and teach him everything I knew—like how to build the best blanket forts! That beautiful mix of nerves and love is what I wanted to capture in Gigglet and Wigglet’s sibling story.
How did you balance addressing children’s worries about new siblings while keeping the story playful and lighthearted?
I approached it the same way I imagine a parent might—acknowledge the worries, then smother them in love, reassurance, and a little silliness. Because while big feelings are real, so is the joy of discovering that a new sibling isn’t competition—it’s a forever friend to love, teach, and laugh with. Gigglet’s story shows kids that it’s normal to wonder if things will change, but also that love grows bigger, not smaller.
The illustrations are so vibrant. Can you tell us about your collaboration with the illustrator and how you brought Gigglet’s world to life?
Working with Nifty Illustration is pure magic. We’ve been together long enough to fall into this beautiful rhythm where she just “gets” what I’m imagining. It’s like we share one creative brain—she brings the heart, the color, and the sparkle that makes Gigglet’s world leap off the page.
What do you hope parents and caregivers will take away from reading Welcome Baby Wigglet with their children?
I hope parents and caregivers take away the reminder that love multiplies—it never divides. Welcoming a new sibling isn’t about losing your place, it’s about expanding the circle of love and creating lifelong bonds. My wish is that families feel encouraged to embrace the big emotions, celebrate the little joys, and remember that even in moments of worry, love always grows bigger.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Foretold in the Scriptures
The Manifestation of Evil follows a young girl whose seemingly ordinary life in Ankara slowly unravels under the weight of sinister visions, haunting figures, and a destiny tied to forces beyond her understanding. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup for my story would have to be Genesis 3:15 in the Bible, where it says how God will put an enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel, and that verse was actually prophetic because it deals with the messiah, Jesus Christ, and the spiritual war. In my fictional book, I wanted Asya, a young Turkish girl who lives a normal life, to be visited by celestial beings to herald the birth of her firstborn child, who will change the world and her status as a chosen vessel. But she will be unaware of the type of celestial beings talking to her and the implications of what is being said to her. Just like the Virgin Mary in the Bible, who comes from a religious background, I wanted Asya to come from a religious background as well. Asya has no idea that the child she will give birth to is the antichrist, which was foretold in the scriptures.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight Asya’s development?
When it came to Asya’s development in the book, Asya went through betrayal and sexual abuse from a family relative, which was an awful thing, and that shaped her life to a certain extent, where she became an overachiever. Now, in my fictional book, I wanted to explore the background of the key players and characters in my book, especially their upbringing and events that will shape their lives, like the Russian president, Igor Alexander, who is an ultra nationalist and has a very dangerous antisemitic ideology.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The purpose of this fictional series is to make people aware of the times we are living in and to think about eternity because, truth be told, we live in a messed-up world. All you have to do is turn your TV on, and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes in diverse places. People are losing their minds, and there is economic instability, uncertainty, and inflation. It does not take a scholar or a genius to know something is off with this world we live in, and it is full of evil.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
The Birth of the Antichrist: The Manifestation of Evil, Part 1 is part of a series. The second book, His Arrival, will be out in January of 2026. This first book deals with all the events and circumstances that will lead to the birth of the antichrist, the man of sin.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Amazon
Connecting the Dots
Girl, Groomed is a raw and unflinching memoir that traces your childhood experiences of grooming and abuse at a horse stable, and the long, painful process of understanding how that past shaped your adult life and relationships. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wanted to offer what I have learned personally and professionally about the importance of lining up with and healing from past trauma. I chose to use my own story to encourage readers that it is only through walking directly into the painful places that we can heal ourselves.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The path towards reclaiming our lives is through an understanding of how trauma continues to impact ourselves and others. This shows up in many forms, but through an awareness of this, we gain the agency to decrease our reactivity and defensiveness that are constricting byproducts. This, in turn, gives us more choice and liberation over our lives going forward.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
Writing my memoir required me to delve back into memories that I had disconnected from. The process of re-experiencing what I had fractured off was both painful and healing. After all, we can only heal from what we can accurately name. Connecting the dots of my life helped me integrate and reclaim my story.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
One takeaway is that trauma informs our lives, but it doesn’t define who we are or who we are becoming.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Raw and riveting, Girl, Groomed is seasoned psychotherapist Carol Odell’s evolving story of deepening her understanding of how the crisis she blindly imposes on her marriage is rooted in her own history of sexual abuse and violence at the hands of a predatory horse trainer who, for far too much of her young life, held all the reins. Chapters toggle back and forth between scenes of her childhood growing up jumping horses on the show circuit in Virginia and the therapy sessions she later undergoes as an adult sitting in “the other chair.”
Using her own journey, Carol demonstrates in this insightful memoir how unintegrated trauma limits us and our connection with others—and how the work of uncovering and reintegrating “what we do with what happens to us” can become the very source of our liberation.
LITERARY TITAN 